Personalized vehicle number plates planned following system upgrade

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) is planning to introduce personalized vehicle number plates featuring customers name, once its existing system is upgraded, officials informed the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF).

Court dismisses cricketer Thushara’s NOC plaint following withdrawal

Sri Lankan cricketer Nuwan Thushara today withdrew the plaint he had filed before the Colombo District Court seeking an interim injunction compelling Sri Lanka Cricket to issue him a “No Objection Certificate” to enable his participation in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) and other international premier league tournaments.

Trump says Iran won’t execute 8 women after he demanded their release

President Trump announced Wednesday that Iran will no longer execute eight women after he pleaded Tuesday for their freedom — calling it “very good news” in a social media post.

Iran FM discusses IRIS Dena attack with Sri Lanka, seeks justice

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said during a telephone conversation with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath that Iran will take all legal and political means to hold the perpetrators and those responsible accountable and bring them to justice over the attack on the IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka.

Submerged ruins resurface as Maussakelle water levels drop

The rapid decline in water levels at the Maussakelle Reservoir has exposed remnants of the old Maskeliya town, long submerged beneath its waters.

Power supply to remain uninterrupted: Nalinda

The government will not resort to power cuts, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa said.

“Ehipassiko” peace march reaches third day, proceeds towards Kandy

The third day of the “Ehipassiko” peace march commenced this morning (23) at the historic Aluvihara Raja Maha Vihara.

Nalinda justifies politicians earning assets

In the wake of controversy surrounding accumulation of assets by ministers, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday assets earned by politicians are not an issue as long as they can reveal how they were earned.

Drug price hike around the corner

Drug prices in Sri Lanka are set to increase in the near future with authorities considering a revision of existing price controls amid mounting pressure from importers grappling with rising global costs and a weakening rupee.

Sri Lanka chooses Chinese currency to pay for Russian oil transactions

Sri Lanka, which is planning to purchase crude oil from Russia, has agreed to settle payments in Chinese Renminbi (RMB), newly appointed Energy Minister Aruna Karunatilake said.

Iran says Strait of Hormuz cannot be opened due to ceasefire breaches

Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with the US said it is ’’not possible’’ for the Strait of Hormuz to be opened due to ’’the blatant violations of the ceasefire’’ by the US and Israel.

US Navy chief leaving post ’effective immediately’, Pentagon says

US Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving the Trump administration, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday.

Peter Hill to return to SriLankan Airlines as next Chairman this week?

SriLankan Airlines is bracing for a highly contentious leadership overhaul at its upcoming board meeting scheduled for this Saturday, April 25.

US intercepts three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters, sources say

The U.S. military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in ‌Asian waters and is redirecting them away from their positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday.

Complaint already lodged with law enforcement agencies over theft by cyber hackers: Ministry

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development said it has already lodged complaints with law enforcement agencies and other relevant institutions regarding the theft committed by cyber hackers who breached the computer system of the External Resources Department of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Five-member team probes missing $2.5m Australian loan installment

The Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry has appointed a five-member technical committee to investigate the disappearance of more than AUD 2.5 million (approximately Rs. 8 million) paid as an installment of an Australian loan.

Finance Ministry will clarify on missing USD 2.5 million: Nalinda

While admitting reports of US dollars 2.5 million paid by the Treasury as a debt payment reportedly falling into the hands of a cyber hacker, the government said the Speaker will decide whether to appoint a committee to probe the incident after studying the letter sent by PC Maithri Gunaratne on the matter.

Harsha questions why Finance Ministry, Central Bank silent on missing USD 2.5 million

Claiming that Parliament is Constitutionally responsible for public finance, Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) and SJB MP Dr. Harsha De Silva raised concerns why the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) have been silent all this time regarding the loss of USD 2.5 million of the Sri Lankan peoples’ money.

AG can indict State officials who fail to assist Easter attack probe: Court

While emphasizing over the investigations conducted into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara said that all State officials, including the Army Commander and the Director of Army Intelligence, must extend their support to the Attorney General in the investigations being carried out in relation to retired Major General Suresh Sallay,

Two Pakistani astronauts selected as candidates for China space programme

China has ​selected two Pakistani ‌astronauts as candidates for ​its manned ​space programme, state broadcaster ⁠CCTV ​reported on Wednesday.

Tamil Nadu elections: Banners supporting Vijay, Seeman, Stalin displayed in Jaffna

Banners supporting Tamil Nadu political leaders have been displayed across several areas in Jaffna in connection with the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections.

US may run out of missiles if another war breaks out: Report

The US military has “significantly depleted” its stockpile of key missiles during the war in Iran and could face shortages in a future conflict, CNN reported Tuesday.

Three vessels hit, two seized by IRGC, Iranian media say

Iranian media are reporting that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted the three ships hit in the Strait of Hormuz.

Govt approves committee to monitor Easter probe progress

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of a new mechanism to monitor the implementation of recommendations related to the Easter Sunday attacks.

China completes 2026 school uniform donation for over 4.4 million students

Certificates were officially exchanged today (22) confirming the completion of the full provision of school uniforms for 2026, donated by the Republic of China.

Court orders continued detention of former SIS Director Suresh Sallay

Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara today ordered that the detention order issued against former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director, Major General (Rtd.) Suresh Sallay, will remain in effect.

Cabinet clears Rs. 356M consultancy for railway expansion to Ratnapura

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the awarding of a consultancy contract for the feasibility study and preparation of detailed plans to extend the Kelani Valley Railway Line from Avissawella to Ratnapura.

Iraj Chaminda Pathiraja appointed acting Immigration Controller General

Approval was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on May 19, 2025 to appoint Mr. Iraj Chaminda Pathiraja, an officer in the Special Grade of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, on a full-time acting basis as the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration.

Government approves procurement of 800,000 dialysis solution bags for kidney patients

The government has approved the procurement of 800,000 bags of peritoneal dialysis solutions used in the treatment of patients suffering from chronic kidney failure, on the recommendation of the Health and Mass Media Minister.

Former MP Premalal Jayasekara granted bail

Former Ratnapura District Parliamentarian Premalal Jayasekara, who was arrested by the Nuwara Eliya Police on Monday (21) over allegations of threatening a person with a firearm during an incident in the Nuwara Eliya area, was produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court today (22).